"Let Freedom Ring!"

As we reflect on the climate creating a need for the 1963 "March on Washington" and as we consider "where do we go from here?" with our challenges in 2013; let us remember – when we discriminate or allow discrimination; we deny ourselves irreplaceable threads in the tapestry of humanity! 

Each day we should ask ourselves, are my actions and interactions

 creating a network of mutuality or silos of exclusivity?

There is but one King and He left us with a clear call to action: "Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friend". We spend the bulk of our days thinking, desiring, dreaming, planning and implementing – as I sit here thinking and writing; I dream too, of a more perfect union for my children. I believe this new reality is attainable only if we spend the bulk of our time applying our gifts, skills, talents and resources to fulfilling Jesus' command to: "Love each other"!

What changes might we wrought; if our soul's sole focus centered on love, not love as sentimentality but a sacrificial love? We live in a "what's in it for me", a "me first" or "I" culture and even the most devout amongst us have succumb to its tenets. Either circumspectly or unknowingly; the "good" within us; the God in us, is capsizing in the tumult of our self absorption. Our vacuous view of love can only render an anemic reflection; whether seeing ourselves in the mirror; or from assessing the jangling discords of our hearts. The gauges of our sacrificial love tanks read, low to empty. 

Think about it, how often do we act on behalf of others (strangers, the least in society, etc.)

 or how often do we act on behalf of family, friends, co-workers, or constituents

without expectation of benefit for ourselves?

The love of which Jesus desires our mastery is sacrificial love. Jesus asks:

"If you love only those who love you,

why should you receive credit for that?

Even sinners love those who love them". Luke 6:32

"And if you do good only to those who do good to you,

why should you get credit for that?

Even sinners do that much!" Luke 6:33

"And if you lend money only to those who can repay you,

why should you get credit?

Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return". Luke 6:34

Practicing sacrificial love is akin to speaking a foreign language; unless someone is fluent in the language, they are unable to effectively communicate. Mastery of a foreign language is best achieved through immersing one's self in the culture and in the language. Hence, the only way we can become fluent in sacrificial love is through studying and putting into practice the teachings of Jesus.

While our culture celebrates and promotes all things self-gratifying; those who desire to follow Christ are invited to embrace an unpopular message. We are challenged to live counter intuitively rejecting the messages of "me, me, me, me"!  Jesus makes this clear by his admonishment and command of:

"Love your enemies! Do good to them.

Lend to them without expecting to be repaid." Luke 6:35

The best way toward grasping sacrificial love is: (1) through realization there is no earthly guarantee of return on our investment; (2) to accept that love is not about your feelings; (3) to understand that sometimes as you practice loving (for Christ's sake) you will experience hurt and pain; (4) to recognize that all your actions should honor God; (5) to know you aren't the focal point; and (6) having awareness that your ultimate goal is becoming more like Jesus.

As we become practitioners of sacrificial love we begin seeing through the eyes and heart of Jesus. We begin understanding people as Jesus understands people. We develop compassion and empathy for all of God's creation. We take courageous steps in defense of the voiceless, the working poor, the incarcerated, the homeless, the orphan (young and old), the poor, the sick, and of all those designated by our culture, our politicians, and by our history as the least.

We were moved and inspired by the March on Washington and the Civil Rights Movement because we witnessed (read about, heard or watched) sacrificial love in action.  Those men, women, boys and girls marched, protested, gathered and stood together hoping to create a network of mutuality and to overturn systems of evil and hatred. In his now infamous “I Have A Dream” speech Martin Luther King, Jr. demonstrated how we are to practice sacrificial love:

"We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline.     

We must not allow our creative protests to degenerate into physical violence.

Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force."

Sacrificial love is demanding requiring discipline, creativity, and suffering but it's not without reward. Jesus concludes in Luke 6:35b-36:

"Then your reward from heaven will be very great,

and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High,

for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.

You must be compassionate just as your father is compassionate". 

Freedom is the ultimate reward; could it be that sacrificial love leads to freedom? Is it possible that we aren't free until we love sacrificially? Jesus commands us to: "Love each other", perhaps Jesus was instructing us to "free each other"!

As you remember the travails and triumphs of the past; looking to the present and the future, will you have the courage to immerse yourself in the culture, the language and practice of sacrificial love? When you do, I know freedom will ring wherever you march, wherever your feet and sacrificial acts of love tread!

Let Freedom Ring!

Inspired By Love,

Marcus J. Singleton

Lead Pastor

Living Faith Community

Hoover, AL

Our Vision: "A diverse community of faith; inspired by the love of Jesus, 

committed to becoming and making disciples".